SAVANNAH, GA — In a stunning display of federal justice, Malik Javier McKenzie, 27, of Savannah, has been sentenced to 595 months imprisonment after being convicted on multiple counts of drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and jury tampering. The court’s severe punishment came following a two-day trial in U.S. District Court.
McKenzie was found guilty of Possession of Controlled Substances With Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Machinegun in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, according to Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Adding another layer to McKenzie’s criminal enterprise was his attempt to influence a juror. During the trial, he tried to contact a juror through a third-party with an offer of payment in exchange for a not guilty verdict. The plot was thwarted before it could unfold, but it didn’t stop McKenzie from entering a guilty plea to Obstruction of Justice by Endeavoring to Influence a Juror.
On July 22, 2025, McKenzie faced Chief Judge R. Stan Baker for sentencing on both cases. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently with one another but consecutively to his existing sentences, which total 89 months due to prior convictions and violations of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown emphasized McKenzie’s status as a repeat offender, noting, ‘Malik McKenzie is a repeat offender who refuses to learn from his past mistakes.’ The agent also commended local partners for their efforts in stopping his attempt to undermine the judicial process.
Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Division highlighted the broader struggle against drug trafficking and violence in communities, stating that today’s sentence demonstrates the DEA’s commitment to attacking those responsible for the devastation.
The ATF’s Beau Kolodka emphasized collaboration among law enforcement agencies, noting how Operation Take Back America has been instrumental in streamlining efforts against organized crime. The investigation into McKenzie was a collaborative effort by the ATF, DEA, FBI, and Hinesville Police Department.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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